1. Boil the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once it’s bubbling away, add the bow tie pasta. Cook according to the package directions, usually about 9-11 minutes, until it’s al dente (slightly firm to the bite). Drain the pasta, saving a cup of the pasta water (you never know when you’ll need it!).

2. Brown the Sausage
While the pasta is cooking, heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Let it brown and crisp up a bit. The sausage will release a lot of flavorful fat, so you won’t need much oil for this step.

3. Sauté the Veggies
Once the sausage is browned and cooked through, toss in the minced garlic and diced onion. Stir them around in the pan, letting them soften and become fragrant. This should take about 3-5 minutes. The garlic should be golden, and the onions should be translucent.

4. Add the Tomatoes and Cream
Now, pour in the canned diced tomatoes (with juices) and give it all a good stir. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—those are flavor gold! Add in the heavy cream, dried oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, and let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes. The cream will thicken, and the flavors will meld together.

5. Combine Pasta and Sauce
Once the sauce is nice and thick, add your cooked bow tie pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, ensuring the pasta is fully coated in that creamy, savory sauce. If the mixture seems a little too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. You want a nice, creamy consistency that coats the pasta without being too saucy.

6. Season to Taste
Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed. The sausage should bring a lot of flavor, but a little salt and pepper will make it shine.

7. Serve and Garnish
Scoop the pasta into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve it hot, and get ready for the compliments to roll in!